Mayor Billy Joe Driver is sworn in with the city council by District Judge Rhonda Hardesty on Nov. 7 at Clanton City Hall.(Photo by Steven Calhoun)

By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Clanton City Council members and the mayor were sworn in on Nov. 7 by District Judge Rhonda Hardesty at Clanton City Hall.

The recently elected council came together to take an oath of service to the community. Council members Mary Mell Smith, Bobby Cook, Jeff Price, Sammy Wilson and Awlahjaday Agee were all sworn in, along with Mayor Billy Joe Driver.

Driver opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone in attendance. Hardesty came forward to administer the oath.

“Thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of this … and I would like to thank each of you for allowing me to be your judge for the last 18 years,” said Hardesty. “It has been a distinct privilege.”

The city council members rose to take their oath for the next four years. Then Hardesty administered the oath to the mayor.

After the oath, Driver asked Tony Hughes to pray for the council, and addressed those in attendance before the prayer.

“Without God’s help, I would not be standing here,” said Driver. “Instead of being on Facebook, be on your knees. The City of Clanton and Chilton County, the State of Alabama, and … our country right now need God more than ever before.”

Hughes praised the council for accepting the responsibility of serving their fellow men.

“I agree with you [Mayor Driver]; there is a lot that’s wrong with America, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with America that the right in America can’t fix,” said Hughes.

“How it will be fixed is with folks who will accept the responsibility that all of you assume this morning; for four years … you will dedicate yourselves to serve God and to serve your fellow man and to serve this great community of Clanton.”

Hughes then prayed over the council that they would be wise and have safety and well being as they lead the community.

Each council member thanked their loved ones in attendance and members in the community who helped them get to serve on the council.

The newly elected Agee expressed his gratitude for being elected to serve his first term as a representative for District 4 in Clanton.

“It took a lot to run this campaign. I couldn’t dare do it by myself,” said Agee.

Agee said he sought advice from his spiritual advisor and prayed about the decision before running for office. He said God showed him in a dream that he was sitting in a seat on the council, so Agee decided to run and won.

After these words of gratitude from the council, Driver closed the meeting and invited those in attendance to stay for refreshments and mingle.